| Mission type | Optical imaging reconnaissance |
|---|---|
| Operator | OKB-1 |
| COSPAR ID | 1966-001A |
| SATCAT no. | 01903 |
| Mission duration | 8 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Zenit-2 |
| Manufacturer | OKB-1 |
| Launch mass | 4730 kg[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 7 January 1966 08:24:00 GMT |
| Rocket | Vostok-2 |
| Launch site | Baikonur, Site 31/6 |
| Contractor | OKB-1 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Recovered |
| Landing date | 15 January 1966 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric[2] |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 193 km |
| Apogee altitude | 380 km |
| Inclination | 65.0° |
| Period | 90.2 minutes |
| Epoch | 7 January 1966 |
Kosmos 104 (Космос 104 meaning Cosmos 104) or Zenit-2 No.36 was a Soviet first-generation low-resolution optical film–return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1966. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 104 was the thirty-second of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[3] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).
Kosmos 104 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket[4] from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 08:24 GMT on 7 January 1966;[5] however, the program was not completely met. The spacecraft was put into an incorrect orbit by malfunctions in the booster rocket's second and third stages.[6] The spacecraft received a Kosmos designation, along with the International Designator 1966-001A and the Satellite Catalog Number 01903.[7]
Despite the problem during its launch, Kosmos 104 was able to complete most of its imaging mission. Its orbit, at an epoch of 7 January 1966, had a perigee of 193 kilometres (120 mi), an apogee of 380 kilometres (240 mi) inclination of 65.0° and a period of 90.2 minutes.[8] On 15 January 1966, after eight days in orbit, the satellite was deorbited with its return capsule descending by parachute for a successful recovery by Soviet force.[9]
